National Defense Ministry Spokesperson Tan Kefei regretted that the USS Milius guided-missile destroyer had again sailed near the South China Sea islands, violating the country’s sovereignty and security.

“We urge the United States to stop these provocative actions immediately or else, it should bear severe consequences of all possible contingencies,” Tan stressed.

The official added that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) remains mobilized to monitor the warship’s route and would respond to any threat.

Tan’s comments occurred when the USS Milius guided-missile destroyer sailed near the South China Sea on Thursday.

That warship also sailed in the same area on Wednesday. China rejected it and asserted that its troops are positioned and ready to act.

The continued incursion of US warships and aircrafts into the South China Sea and other adjacent waters has prompted the PLA to conduct frequent maneuvers so as to test the different commands’ defensive capabilities.

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